5 Tips For Traveling With Teenagers

Are you planning a family vacation? Make it memorable with these tips!

Traveling with your teen doesn't have to be a bust because with a little preparation, traveling together can be something the entire family can look forward to. Before you plan and pack up though, you'll want to be sure to avoid any triggers that can turn a potentially terrific vacation into a terrible one. How To Show Your Love As A Mother Figure

If you're about to embark on a vacation with your teens, consider these five tips:

1. Consider age-appropriate, interest based trips. If your teen loves being in and around water, a cruise that includes a snorkeling adventure is bound to bring more excitement than a hiking trip in the mountains. Consider your teen's age and interests and this will help you plan a vacation that he or she will enjoy. Cruises, ski trips, adventure trips and trips to theme parks and historical sites are popular vacations as they typically offer something for both teens and adults.

2. Get and keep your teens involved. From helping to pick the destination to assigning her a task, get and keep your teen involved with the vacation planning and execution. Teens can help narrow down group tours to go on, historic places to explore and theme parks to visit. For teens who like to take photos, assigning them to be the official vacation photographer may be a task that is excitingly embraced.

For teens who enjoy trying new foods, researching restaurants to try that feature local cuisine may be a fitting chore. When teens are involved with planning the family vacation, they become vested in helping to make it a success.

3. Give your teens space. For most teenagers, privacy is their middle name. While it can be tempting to save a few bucks and pile the family into a one bedroom hotel room, don't. Teens value their alone time and need their space. While the purpose of vacationing with your teen is to do things together, he or she will also want some time to do some things by himself.

Whether it's sleeping in on one morning, eating lunch alone at the next table over at the cafe or going for a walk around the block; giving your teen a little freedom will go a long way in making your time together enjoyable. For parents who would like to spend a romantic evening out on the town, hiring a nanny that's familiar with the local teen scene may be a worthwhile investment. While you're enjoying adult time, a local nanny can serve as chaperone and chauffer to your teenage brigade. The "No Kill Policy": How To Control Anger As A Parent